Jazmin Li
Believe it or not, there are airports in the world that are shared by two countries. One such airport is the EuroAirport, which is divided between France and Switzerland. The airport is on French soil and under French jurisdiction, but Swiss authorities can apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section. Interestingly, you can travel through two countries within the same airport building!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | EuroAirport |
| Location | The airport is in France, near the town of Mulhouse |
| Jurisdiction | French |
| Countries involved | France and Switzerland |
| Reason for the multi-country layout | Basel, Switzerland wanted an airport, but lacked the space. France had the space, but lacked the money. |
| Special arrangements | Swiss authorities can apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services and police work in the Swiss section. French police can execute random checks in the Swiss section. |
Explore related products
![Airport: The Complete Collection [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81-nvGF8wgL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
EuroAirport is split between France and Switzerland
EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg is one of the few airports in the world that is jointly operated by two countries: France and Switzerland. The airport is located entirely within France, but a portion of it "lies in" Switzerland. This unique arrangement is the result of the airport's development history. Basel, Switzerland, wanted to build an airport but lacked the space, while France had the available land near the town of Mulhouse but lacked the necessary funds. So, the two countries agreed to collaborate on the project, beginning just after World War II.
The airport is governed by a 1949 international convention and is jointly administered by both countries. The headquarters of its operations are in Blotzheim, France. EuroAirport has a Swiss customs border and is connected to the Swiss customs area by a 2.5-kilometre customs-free road, providing travellers with access to Switzerland without going through French customs. The airport is operated under a state treaty that grants both countries access without customs or border restrictions. The airport's board consists of eight members each from France and Switzerland, with two advisers from Germany.
The airport building is divided into two distinct sections: the Swiss sector and the French sector. This division allows for entry procedures to be carried out for both countries. The Swiss authorities have the authority to apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section, including the customs road to Basel. At the same time, French police can conduct random checks in this area as well. With Switzerland's accession to the Schengen Treaty in 2009, the airport now includes a Schengen and non-Schengen zone, requiring passengers arriving from non-Schengen countries to proceed to the customs office of the country that issued their visa.
The Swiss side of the airport houses the headquarters of Swiss International Air Lines, Swiss Global Air Lines, and Swiss Aviation Software. These offices are only accessible from Switzerland. The airport features duty-free shops in the international departures and arrivals areas, newsagents, and children's play areas. There are also several fully-equipped conference rooms available for use. EuroAirport is served by various transport options, including buses, taxis, and car rental services, providing connections to nearby cities in Switzerland, France, and Germany.
Airport Conveyor Belts: How Do They Work?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
London's two major airports
London, England, is served by six international airports: Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick, Luton, Southend, and London City Airport. These airports form the busiest airport system in the world by passenger numbers and the second-busiest by aircraft movements. In 2018, the six airports handled a total of 177,054,819 passengers, handling over 60% of all the UK's air traffic.
Heathrow Airport, located in the London Borough of Hillingdon, is the largest of London's airports and is considered the main gateway to the United Kingdom for non-European visitors. It serves six continents and is the base for British Airways in Terminal 5. Heathrow has four terminals and two runways and is connected to London's motorway network via the M4 and M25 motorways.
Gatwick Airport, located in West Sussex, is the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the eighth busiest in Europe. It is the main base for easyJet, the UK's largest airline by passenger numbers, as well as British Airways, Norse Atlantic Airways, TUI Airways, and Wizz Air.
London's third-busiest airport is Stansted, located in Essex. It is the largest operational base for Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost carrier and the world's largest international airline by the number of international passengers. Stansted also offers flights from other low-cost airlines such as easyJet and Jet2.com.
Luton Airport, located in Bedfordshire, is London's fourth-largest and the UK's fifth-busiest airport. It is a popular choice for budget travellers, with low-cost carriers easyJet and Wizz Air providing frequent and affordable flight services. Luton Airport is well-connected to London, with Luton Airport Parkway railway station reachable in as little as 22 minutes via East Midlands Railway.
Southend Airport, located near the city of Southend-on-Sea in Essex, is the smallest of London's airports in terms of passenger numbers. It is a hub for low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet.
Lastly, London City Airport, located in the London Borough of Newham, is the closest airport to central London. Its location and short runway limit its size, and only the smallest aircraft are permitted to use the airport.
While none of London's airports physically straddle two countries, the EuroAirport in Basel is an interesting example of an airport with a multi-country layout. It is located entirely within France but is the closest major airport to Freiburg, Germany. The airport was developed through a joint effort between France and Switzerland, and Swiss authorities are authorised to apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section of the airport.
LaGuardia Airport: Delayed Flights and Their Causes
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Bangkok's two major airports
Bangkok is served by two major airports, Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK). Both airports are well connected by public transport, providing travellers with easy access to Bangkok's various points of interest. Suvarnabhumi Airport is the newer and larger of the two, located about 30 kilometres east of Bangkok. It is a major hub for international flights and boasts modern architecture inspired by traditional Thai design. The airport features efficient ground transportation systems, including an express train to the city centre, as well as upscale shopping, dining and banking facilities. It also offers a range of services such as VIP lounges, hotels and efficient immigration facilities.
Don Mueang, on the other hand, is the older of Bangkok's two airports but remains an integral part of the city's airport network. It has a rich history and tells a story of the evolution of air traffic in the region. While both airports cater to different types of travellers, they are almost equidistant from downtown Bangkok, albeit in different directions.
Choosing the right airport depends on your specific needs and preferences. For instance, if you prefer a more local shopping experience, you might opt to head to the nearby Market Village shopping mall from either airport. Additionally, it is important to consider the extra time required for security and transfers, especially at Suvarnabhumi Airport, where you may need to take an underground train to reach your terminal.
Interestingly, Bangkok's airports are not the only ones that straddle two different locations. The EuroAirport, the closest major airport to Freiburg, Germany, is entirely within French territory and paid for by Switzerland. However, due to Switzerland's lack of space and France's financial constraints, a joint development effort resulted in portions of the airport being physically located in Switzerland, with Swiss laws and customs applied accordingly.
Shannon Airport: Ireland's West Coast Gateway
You may want to see also
New York's two major airports
New York City is served by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). JFK is the city's main airport and is located in Queens. It is the largest and busiest of the three, serving more than 62 million passengers annually and offering flights to numerous destinations worldwide. Over 70 airlines operate from JFK, including major international carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Air France. The airport is currently undergoing a $19 billion renovation project, which includes the addition of two new terminals and the modernisation of existing ones.
LaGuardia Airport is also located in Queens, but it is smaller and less busy than JFK. It serves as a hub for several airlines, including Delta and JetBlue, which operate Terminal 5 exclusively. LaGuardia offers a range of dining options, such as Shake Shack and Deep Blue Sushi, and is undergoing a multi-billion-dollar redevelopment project to improve its facilities and infrastructure.
Newark Liberty International Airport, located in Newark, New Jersey, is the third major airport serving New York City. It is accessible from Manhattan via taxi or the Coach USA Newark Airport Express bus service. Like JFK and LaGuardia, Newark also provides a variety of dining and shopping options for travellers, such as Abruzzo Pizza and Smashburger.
While none of New York's airports straddle two countries, there is an interesting example of an airport with a similar arrangement. The EuroAirport, serving Basel, Switzerland, and the French town of Mulhouse, is entirely within France and under French jurisdiction. However, due to Switzerland's lack of space and France's lack of funds, the two countries jointly developed the airport. As a result, a portion of the airport "lies in" Switzerland, and Swiss authorities can apply their laws, customs, and police work to their designated section.
Baton Rouge's Air Travel: Airport Accessibility and Convenience
You may want to see also
Tokyo's two major airports
Tokyo is a perennial tourist favourite, attracting a record 36.8 million international visitors in 2024. The city has two major airports, Narita International Airport (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND), which serve both international air traffic and domestic travel. Narita International Airport, built in 1978, used to serve the most long-haul flights out of the two. However, Haneda Airport has become the busiest in terms of passenger traffic, handling over 78 million passengers annually compared to Narita's 30 million. Haneda's proximity to the city centre has made it a popular choice for travellers, with convenient access to public transportation options such as the Tokyo Monorail and Keikyu Line.
Narita International Airport, located further outside of Tokyo than Haneda, still boasts excellent transportation links into the city. It remains Japan's largest airport and has shifted its focus to medium-haul routes from airlines such as All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, and others. Both All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, which are Skytrax five-star airlines, have moved most of their international flight operations to Haneda due to its more convenient location.
Haneda Airport, officially known as Tokyo International Airport, has experienced a significant expansion in its international flight offerings. Airlines such as United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have increased their flight routes to Haneda, contributing to its growing popularity. Haneda consists of three terminals: two domestic (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) and one international (Terminal 3). The airport's convenient location and increasing number of flight options have made it a preferred choice for travellers to and from Tokyo.
While deciding which airport to fly into depends on various factors, understanding the key differences between Narita and Haneda can help travellers make informed decisions. Both airports offer easy access to the city, but Haneda's closer proximity to the heart of Tokyo and its comprehensive transportation network make it a convenient choice for many visitors.
Bypassing Airport WiFi Security: Tips and Tricks
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
EuroAirport is split between France and Switzerland. The airport is on French soil and under French jurisdiction, but Swiss authorities can apply Swiss laws regarding customs, medical services, and police work in the Swiss section.
Basel, Switzerland, wanted an airport but lacked the space, and France had the space but lacked the money. The two countries agreed to a joint development effort after World War II.
There are no signs indicating which country you are in or where the other one is. However, there is a one-way door in a dividing wall in the middle of the terminal that separates the two countries.
Yes, there are a few other airports with a similar setup, including New York's JFK and Newark airports, Tokyo's Haneda and Narita airports, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports.
